Cottonwood College Prep Academy

We pride ourselves on being an interdisciplinary, project-based, Montessori-inspired charter high school, fostering holistic learning experiences that encourage exploration, collaboration, and creativity among our students.

School Information

Learn more about what makes Cottonwood College Prep Academy a great place to get an education.

College and Career Center

Get the information and tools to apply to college or prepare for a career after high school.

Design Thinking

Find out about our program for students interested in a career in design, business, or engineering.

Cottonwood College Prep Academy

An Innovative Public High School in El Dorado Hills

Cottonwood College Prep Academy (CCPA) is a free public charter school located in the Buckeye Union School District in El Dorado Hills.

CCPA’s Montessori-inspired high school offers a hybrid educational program that provides students the experience of learning in a classroom setting while also offering the personalization provided by online learning. Students will take the Concentration’s Course of Study in a classroom setting on the high school campus while taking the other courses using an online platform, all with the support of the school’s teachers and staff.

Montessori quote

CCPA Mission and Vision

 

MISSION (The HOW): CCPA, influenced by Montessori principles, provides an innovative, rigorous, self-exploring education through experiential learning, design thinking, and meaningful interdisciplinary studies cultivating a growth mindset.

 

VISION (The WHY): CCPA’s vision is to guide our student community to love learning, to profoundly contribute to our diverse world, and to lead lives of achievement.

What’s Happening

Our students craft engaging “PR Package Slides” each week, often using one of our Student Learner Outcomes (SLOs) as a framework for content, to spotlight the vibrant happenings within our school community and keep everyone updated on current events. These slides serve as a visually captivating platform, illustrating the richness of our educational experiences!

Step into the vibrancy of CCPA’s new school facility that we proudly unveiled at the beginning of 2024. Students, faculty, and guests gathered to celebrate this monumental occasion with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony and exploration of state-of-the-art facilities. The photos featured here highlight some of our brand-new spaces designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and innovation amongst staff and students. 

Valentine’s Day in Video Productions

The talented Video Production students at CCPA have reached a significant milestone! This past week, they proudly unveiled their first solo video project on Instagram! Given the creative reins to explore their imaginations, these budding filmmakers enthusiastically...

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CCPA is open for tours

CCPA is thrilled to announce that we are now offering personalized tours to families with children of qualifying ages who are interested in enrolling in our school. These tours are designed to provide prospective families with an immersive experience, allowing them to...

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New Episode Alert!

Tune into the new episode of the Cottonwood Counseling Podcast to learn how to enroll in college courses as a high school student! The link to the podcast can be found under the "Counseling" tab.

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Introducing Video Production

Introducing CCPA's latest addition to our dynamic curriculum - the Video Productions class! Launched in January 2024 after winter break, this exciting course is already making waves under the guidance of CCPA’s newest member, Jessi Chapman. With a fresh perspective...

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CCPA Swag Store Year-End Sale

The CCPA Swag Store Year-End Sale is live! The sale runs from January 30 until February 13. Use the discount code SPIRIT213 at checkout to receive 25% off all merchandise and free shipping on orders over $60. To access the store, click on the “Swag Store” link under...

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